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4 


IN  MEMORIAM: 


He  is  not  dead,  thy  heart’s  beloved,  but  sleepeth. 
Behold,  ‘'He  giveth  his  beloved  sleep.” 

Oh  ! aching  hearts,  be  still,  the  father  knoweth 
All  thine  anguish  ; hush  thee,  do  not  weep  ! 

He  is  not  dead,  could  ye  have  known  the  glory 
That  on  his  raptured  vision  gleamed  that  day. 

Oh  I hearts  ! ye  would  look  up,  no  more  lamenting 
Nor  rain  your  kisses  on  unanswering  clay. 

He  is  not  dead  ! for  death  is  only  seeming 
Since  He,  the  sinless  one,  for  sinners  died  ; 

’Tis  but  a step  beyond  to  life  perfected. 

Where  shall  the  heart's  desire  be  satisfied. 

He  is  not  dead  ; Oh  ! strong,  sweet  soul  that  trusted 
With  faith  so  simple,  childlike,  on  his  word. 

Thy  spirit  hath  returned  to  the  Eternal ; 

Thine  eyes  behold  the  glory  of  the  Lord. 

He  is  not  dead  ; he  wakes  to  fairer  being. 

The  arc  is  rounded  to  a perfect  whole  ; 

Beyond  the  gates,  oh  1 bliss  beyond  all  dreaming  ! 
Hope’s  full  fruition  dawneth  on  his  soul. 


Born  June  3,  1829... 


Died  July  8,  1897... 


Grace  E.  Slocum. 


?)  u 7 


• \ 


Biograpf)ical  SKetch. 


pD\^'ARD  LEWIS  BAKER,  the  second  son  of  David 
J_  Jewett  and  Sarah  Fairchild  Baker,  was  born  at 
Kaskaskia,  Illinois,  June  B,  1829.  His  father  was  a 
native  of  Connecticut,  but  after  completing  his  course 
of  study  at  Hamilton  College,  he  married  and  moved 
to  the  then  comparatively  unknown  territory  of  Illi- 
nois. He  at  once  became  prominent  among-  the  early 
settlers  and  achieved  distinction  as  lawyer,  judge,  and 

later,  when  Illinois  became  a state,  as  United  States 
Senator. 

At  an  early  age  Edward  was  sent  to  Shurtleff  Col- 
lege, Upper  Alton,  Illinois,  joining  the  freshman  class 
in  18J8.  He  graduated  with  high  honors  in  1847, 
and  entered  his  father’s  law  office  in  Alton,  to  which 
place  the  family  had  removed  during  his  course  of 
study  at  Shurtleff.  He  subsequently  attended  the 
College  of  Law,  Harvard  Univei-sity,  and  after  takiirg 
his  degree  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  Illinois.  He 


1924.‘i7 


4 


In  Memoriam. 


did  not  follow  the  law  as  a profession,  however,  pre- 
ferring to  enter  the  field  of  journalism.  Accordingly^ 
after  completing  the  course  at  Harvard,  he  returned 
to  Alton  and  became  identified  with  the  Telegruph. 
After  successfully  editing  that  paper  for  several  years, 
he  moved  to  Springfield  and  purchased  an  interest  in 
the  Illinois  Stale  Journal.  This  paper,  under  his 
editorship,  became  a power  in  the  state  and  was 
prominent  in  its  championship  of  the  anti-slavery 
sentiment  of  the  time,  in  the  organization  of  the 
Republican  party  and  in  the  political  campaigns  of 
1860,  1864  and  1868. 

During  the  years  of  his  residence  in  Springfield,  Mr. 
Baker  was  always  fully  in  touch  with  the  educational 
progress  of  the  city  and  was  a prominent  member  of 
the  Board  of  Education  for  several  terms.  At  the 
time  Senator  Sumner’s  Civil  Rights  Bill  was  pending 
in  Congress,  when  race  prejudice  was  so  bitter,  Mr. 
Baker  was  a warm  partisan  of  the  negro,  and  it  was 
largely  to  his  efforts  in  the  Board  of  Education  that 
colored  children  were  first  admitted  to  the  Springfield 
schools. 

In  1869,  as  a recognition  of  his  valuable  editorial 
work  for  the  party  before,  during  and  after  the  war. 


Edward  Lewis  Baker. 


5 


President  Grant  appointed  Mr.  Baker  Assessor  of  In- 
ternal Be  venue  for  the  Eighth  District  of  Illinois, 
which  position  he  held  until  1873  when  the  office  was 
abolished  by  act  of  Congress.  Immediately  upon  his 
retirement  from  this  office,  the  President  tendered  him 
the  appointment  of  United  States  Consul  at  Buenos 
Ayres,  Argentine  Republic.  Mr.  Baker  decided  that 
the  voyage  to  that  port  and  a sojourn  abroad  would 
be  an  agreeable  change  after  his  many  years  of  un- 
remitting labor  as  an  editor  and  politician,  and  he 
accordingly  accepted  the  appointment,  leaving  Spring- 
field  in  company  with  his  family  for  his  new  post  of 
duty  on  March  17,  1874. 

At  the  time  of  departure  from  Springfield,  the  em- 
ployes of  the  State  Journal  Company  presented  Mr. 
Baker  with  a beautiful  and  artistic  gold  medal  as  a 
token  of  their  esteem  and  affection.  He  always  prized 
this  very  highly  and  wore  it  on  all  diplomatic  and 
state  occasions  of  ceremony. 

Mr.  Baker’s  career  as  consul  was  most  brilliant  and 
successful.  He  was  quick  to  accommodate  himself  to 
his  change  of  occupation  and  gave  immediate  evidence 
of  his  complete  adaptability  for  his  new  duties.  He 
made  an  exhaustive  study  of  the  economic,  political 


6 


In  Memoriam. 


and  social  coaditions  existing  in  the  Argentine  Re- 
public and  went  to  unusual  pains  to  present  bis  facts 
and  statistics  to  the  Department  of  State  at  Wash- 
ington in  a series  (jf  admirable  reports,  which  were 
most  valuable  to  the  government  and  which  have 
never  been  equalled  for  the  amount  of  interesting  in- 
formation contained,  by  those  of  any  other  officer  of 
the  consular  service.  Mr.  Baker’s  services  as  consul 
were  so  appreciated  at  Washington  that  there  was 
no  thought  of  ever  removing  him  from  office.  Al- 
though an  ardent  republican,  he  was  one  of  the  few 
office  holders  who  was  retained  under  the  two  admin- 
istrations of  President  Cleveland.  At  the  time  of  his 
death  Mr.  Baker  had  held  his  office  longer  than  any 
other  consul  in  the  corps  and  had  served  under  eight 
administrations. 

Mr.  Baker  was  beloved  by  all  who  knew  him.  His 
nature  was  kind,  genial  and  sympathetic,  and  his 
charming  personal  characteristics  attracted  all  with 
whom  he  was  brought  in  contact.  He  was  devoted 
and  tender  as  a husband  and  father,  and  warm 
hearted  and  true  as  a friend.  He  was  full  of  good 
humor  and  kindness  and,  in  the  words  of  his  class- 
mate and  friend,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Bulkley,  “was  never 


Edward  Lewis  Baker. 


known  to  utter  a harsh  or  unkind  word.”  He  always 
had  a smile  and  pleasant  word  for  every  one,  and  his 
soul  was  filled  with  that  charity  “which  thiuketh  no 
evil.” 

Mr.  Baker’s  talents  were  many  and  diversified.  He 
excelled  as  a sparkling  and  brilliant  speaker  and 
made  memorable  many  a dinner  and  social  gathering 
by  his  happy  impromptu  remarks.  His  repartee  was 
quick  and  full  of  wit  but  never  sarcastic  or  ill-natured, 
and  his  fund  of  anecdotes  inexhaustible.  As  a host 
he  was  inimitable.  He  loved  to  fill  his  home  with 
bright  and  happy  faces  and  had  always  that  mag- 
netic charm  which  made  each  one  brought  into  his 
presence  appreciate  his  true  and  sincere  cordiality. 

He  was  an  ardent  lover  of  nature  and  rejoiced  in 
the  pleasures  and  pastimes  of  rural  surroundings. 
Whenever  he  could  for  a time  lay  aside  the  cares  of 
his  professional  or  official  duties,  it  was  his  delight  to 
leave  the  busy  haunts  of  men  and,  in  company  with 
a few  congenial  spirits,  and  with  gun  and  rod,  go  to 
the  country,  where  he  would  while  away  many  a 
pleasant  hour.  He  was  an  enthusiastic  sportsman 
and  a worthy  disciple  of  Isaak  Walton. 


8 


In  Memoriam. 


During  his  leisure  hours,  Mr.  Baker  often  expressed 
his  thoughts  in  verse,  but  was  always  too  modest 
and  unassuming  to  pose  as  a poet,  or  to  permit  his 
poetical  fancies  to  appear  in  print.  Numerous  little 
gems,  however,  are  in  the  possession  of  his  family 
and  are  treasured  by  them  as  expressing  not  only  his 
deep  love  and  tenderness  for  them,  but  for  the  world, 
and  as  showing  the  true  depths  of  his  earnest  and 
fervent  religious  feeling — a religion  of  deeds,  not 
words— a life  patterned  on  that  of  the  Savior’s,  which 
spent  itself  in  kind  acts  and  generous  deeds,  and 
thought  more  of  the  heart  and  soul  of  his  fellow  man 
than  of  his  actions,  beliefs  or  creeds. 

In  no  better  way  can  this  broad,  Christian  charity 
be  made  clear  than  by  giving  his  own  thoughts,  ex- 
pressed in  the  following  poems: 


Edward  Lewis  Baker. 


9 


“Judg:e  Not”— “Oo  Oood.” 


Dedicated  to  Mrs.  E.  L.  Baker. 


A LAA"  SERMON. 

Permit  me  to  tell  you  a secret,  my  friends — 

A secret  the  world  ought  to  know; 

The  high  road  to  happiness  far  less  depends 
On  what  we  receive,  than  what  we  bestow. 

Though  virtues  called  homely  may  seem  commonplace, 

And  by  men  of  the  world  be  despised; 

But  they’re  far  more  important  than  figure  or  face. 

In  one’s  heart  they  are  much  to  be  prized. 

It  is  not  enough  to  he  good  on  this  earth— 

The  essence  of  Christ  is  to  show  it  in  deeds — 

^Tis  those  who  do  good  who  are  God's  men  of  worth. 

And  we  need  not  discuss  the  question  of  creeds. 

The  small  things  of  life  are  things  that  are  great— 

A spirit  fraternal  is  better  than  gold; 

And  kindnesses  shown  to  the  victims  of  fate 

Though  they  cost  very  little,  have  a value  untold. 

A temper  that’s  scornful,  a manner  that’s  rude. 

Towards  those  who  have  erred,  is  the  hypocrite’s  curse* 

O’er  the  evils  of  life,  to  sit  still  and  to  brood. 

So  far  from  improving  only  makes  the  world  worse. 


10 


In  Memoriam. 


The  Master  encouraged,  He  did  not  condemn 
The  penitent  sinners  He  found  here  on  earth; 

And  for  any  to  pose,  as  God’s  ^^creme  de  la  creme,” 

Is  working  religion  “for  all  it  is  worth.” 

Whose  heart  is  in  touch  with  the  poor  of  mankind, 

Is  the  man  whom  mankind  loves  the  best; 

Who  striveth  to  make  others  happy  will  find, 

'Tis  himself  that  is  really  blest. 

As  along  the  same  road,  we  are  moving  in  herds. 

And  hoping  to  reach  the  same  goal. 

How  easy  it  is  to  give  comforting  words 
To  some  over-tasked,  desolate  soul. 

Comforting  words  to  all  who  are  weary. 

Or  a hand  stretched  in  kindness  to  those  who  are  down; 

Or  some  tender  service  to  lives  that  are  dreary; 

Ah,  these  are  the  triumphs  that  merit  the  Crown. 

For  no  man  loves  God,  as  God  should  be  loved. 

Whose  soul  goes  not  out  toward  God’s  creatures; 

Kind  words  and  kind  deeds  to  repentance  have  moved 

More  grief-stricken  sinners,  than  the  dogmas  of  preachers. 

Then  strive,  in  your  places,  to  do  what  you  may. 

To  lighten  the  burdens  of  the  weak  and  distressed; 

With  hearts  full  of  pity  direct  them  the  way 

That  leads  to  new  life,  and  a home  with  the  blest. 

(Signed.)  E.  L.  Baker. 

United  States  Consulate,  Buenos  Ayres,  Jan.  1,  1896. 


Edward  Lewis  Baker. 


11 


Saint  or  Sinner? 

AN  ODE. 


(to  my  wipe.) 


These  wayward  verses,  rudely  strung, 
The  fancies  of  an  idle  hour, 
Perchance  had  better  been  unsung 
As  lacking  in  poetic  power; 

But,  if  in  thee  they  find  a friend 
To  overlook  their  feeble  strain. 

And  shall  a moment’s  pleasure  lend. 

They  will  not  have  been  writ  in  vain. 


— E.  L.  B. 


12 


In  Memoriam. 


Saint  or  Sinner? 


Holy  Friar,  tell  this  mortal, 

Standing  anxious  at  life’s  portal, 

Tell,  I pray  thee,  tell  this  maiden. 

With  all  tender  fancies  laden, 

What  of  human  Jove  thou  k nowest, 

AVhence  it  comes,  and  whither  goest? 

The  aged  Friar  bowed  his  head 
And  crossed  himself;  then  sadly  said: 

“Like  a cloud  in  summer  sky. 

Scattered  by  a zephyr’s  sigh; 

Like  the  fabric  of  a dream. 

Forgotten  with  the  morning’s  beam; 
Like  a bubble  on  a river, 

One  moment  seen,  then  gone  forever; 
Like  a dewdrop  on  a flower. 

Born,  exhaled  within  a hour; 

Like  a meteor’s  flash  of  light, 

Expiring  in  an  endless  night; 

Ah,  such  is  human  love  on  earth. 

Dead  with  the  breath  that  gives  it  birth.” 

Oh,  holy  Friar,  kind  and  meek, 

Once  more  thy  love  I crave  and  seek; 

Tell,  I pray  thee,  tell  this  mortal 
Standing  anxious  at  life’s  portal; 

Tell,  I pray  thee,  tell  this  maiden. 

With  all  tender  fancies  laden. 

What  of  love  divine  thou  knowest. 

Whence  it  comes  and  whither  goeslV 


Edward  Lewis  Baker. 


IH 


The  aged  Friar,  with  eyes  aloft, 

Replied  in  accents  sweet  and  s:>ft: 

“Like  the  law  of  gravitation, 

Pervading  all  the  vast  creation; 

Like  the  music  of  the  spheres. 

Sounding  down  the  eternal  years; 

Like  the  swelling  tides  of  ocean. 

With  their  never-ending  motion; 

Like  the  fixed  light  of  a star. 

Serene  and  constant  in  its  depths  afar; 

Like  Truth  triumphant  on  her  throne. 

Claiming  all  kindreds  for  her  own; 

Ah,  such  is  love  beyond  the  skies, 

A scent  serene  that  never  dies.” 

The  maiden  heard,  and  her  I eautiful  face. 

Was  aglow  with  the  light  of  celestial  grace; 

The  while,  in  rapture,  her  glorified  eyes 
Saw  Heavenly  visions  beyond  the  skies. 

For  the  world  and  its  sin,  she  breathed  one  sigh. 

Then  thus  to  herself  she  made  reply: 

“If  Faith  is  false  within  this  sphere, 

And  constancy  dwells  alone  on  high: 

Better,  by  far,  forego  love  here. 

To  taste  it  there  eternally.” 

And  in  spite  of  the  anguish,  in  spite  of  the  smart— 

She  tore  from  out  of  her  bleeding  heart — 

With  a sigh  from  the  depths  of  her  dark  despair. 

The  earthly  image  she  had  cherished  there. 

And  she  passed  from  the  world  through  the  convent  gate. 
Her  radiant  face  growing  sweeter  and  sweeter; 


14 


In  Mi:moriam. 


There,  in  her  maiden  beauty,  to  wait 

Till  the  Heavenly  bridegroom  comes  to  meet  her. 
There,  in  retreat  from  this  earth  of  cares. 

No  thought  for  the  day,  no  thought  for  the  morrow, 
She  told  her  beads  and  prayed  her  prayers, 

And,  dead  to  the  world  and  safe  from  its  snares, 

She  lived  a life  of  holy  sorrow. 

Then  up  rose  one  of  tender  heart. 

Who  of  earth’s  wrongs  had  borne  his  part: 

Who  knew  that  mortals  may  be  deceived 
By  vows  of  love  they  had  believed; 

Who  had  not  always  sin  withstood. 

But  hated  sin  and  craved  the  good; 

Who  “loved  the  world”  for  Christ’s  dear  sake; 

And  thus  to  the  hearts  of  men  he  spake: 

“Ah,  who  may  say  she  did  not  well. 

Thus,  far  from  the  false  and  wicked  to  dwell; 

And  lead  a life  of  cloistered  ease. 

In  daily  penance  on  her  knees: 

But,  ah,  for  sin  the  chastening  rod 
Is  fervent  work  in  the  vineyard  of  God: 

And  in  spite  of  the  words  the  priest  hath  said, 

To  the  anxious,  innocent,  doubting  maid; 

In  spite  of  the  holy  life  she  led 
In  her  cell  of  stone  and  her  virgin  bed, 

I doubt,  if  she  had  not  better  fulfilled 

The  mi.-sion  which  God  to  his  creatures  hath  willed. 

Had  she  used  the  talent,  to  her  He  had  given, 

And  earned  for  herself  the  rapture  of  Heaven. 

Had  she  bravely  fought  the  battle  of  life. 

And  done  her  duty,  as  mother  and  wife; 


Edward  Lewis  Baker. 


15 


Had  her  heart  gone  out  to  better  this  earth; 

Had  she  toiled  and  loved,  midst  the  innocent  mirth 
Of  a brood  of  dear  children,  though  anguish  and  tears 
May  have  whitened  her  hair,  and  saddened  her  years. 
The  martyrs  and  saints 
And  heroes  are  those. 

Who  war  here  below 

With  God's  fierce  foes. 

Who  do  with  a will 

What  they  find  here  to  do. 

And  work  for  the  good. 

And  work  for  the  true. 

Who  strive,  as  they  may,  in  their  time  and  place. 

To  quicken  this  earth  with  Heavenly  grace; 

And  expend  their  might  to  hallow  its  Love. 

With  the  Faith  which  lives  and  dwells  above.’' 

Then  a still,  small  voice  from  a passing  cloud. 

To  our  hearts  responded  ‘‘Amen,”  aloud. 


L’Envoy, 

With  thine  armor  clean  and  bright, 

Seek  no  cloistered  cell; 

On  the  outer  ramparts  fight 
The  allied  hosts  of  Hell. 

(Signed.)  E.  L.  Hakeii. 


United  States  Consulate,  Buenos  Ayres,  Fehruary  28,  1807. 


16 


In  Memoriam. 


Mr.  Baker  was  always  youthful  in  his  thoughts  and 
feelings,  and  his  heart  was  full  of  tenderness  and  love 
for  little  children.  He  idolized  his  grand-children  and 
was  most  demonstrative  in  his  deep  affection  for  them. 
No  more  touching  evidence  of  this  devotion  could  be 
shown  than  by  reproducing  two  little  poems  dedicated 
to  Philip,  his  first  grand-child,  upon  his  departure 
from  Buenos  Ayres  and  arrival  in  the  United  States. 
They  are  as  follow's: 


Edward  Lewis  Baker. 


17 


l^a  Despedida. 


TO  THII.IP. 

I. 

My  gallant  ship, — betide  what  fate,— 

Has  sailed  to-day  with  precious  freight ; 

Far  down  the  bay,  with  wind  abeam, 

I see  her  white  sails  fill  and  gleam ; 

And  I shall  see  them  when  I sleep. 

Like  phantoms  gliding  o’er  the  deep ; 

And  I shall  see  them  when  I wake, 

Through  all  the  weary  leagues  they  make  I 
Oh  treacherous  ocean,  faithless  sea, 

Guard  well  what  I have  given  to  thee  ! 

II. 

Or  in  the  day  or  in  the  night. 

That  ship  is  ever  in  my  sight ; 

Each  course  she  takes,— each  wind  that  blows, — 
Each  wave  that  breaks  and  overflows, — 

Or  sail  she  slow,  or  sail  in  haste, 

I watch  her  through  the  trackless  waste ; 

In  calm,  or  storm,  or  gentle  breeze, 

I ioy  or  fear  with  each  of  these  ! 

Oh  treacherous  ocean,  faithless  sea, 

I pray  that  thou  keep  faith  with  me  ! 

III. 

With  grief  I never  can  forget, 

And  breaking  heart  and  eyes  all  wet, — 

And  desolated  home,  I see 

My  heart’s  dear  treasures  pass  from  me  ; — 

And  I shall  mourn,  as  one  distraught, — 

So  great  the  sorrow  love  has  wrought, — 

Till  I shall  know — all  dangers  o’er, — 

My  ship  has  reached  her  destined  shore  ! 

Oh  treacherous  ocean,  faithless  sea. 

Bring  back  a good  report  to  me  ! 

Ed  w A HD  L.  Baker. 


Buenos  Ayres^  Feh.  15.  1894. 


18 


In  Memoriam. 


l^a  Bienvetiida. 


TO  PHILIP. 


I. 

A magic  word  at  lightning  speed 
Has  come  to  me  with  news  indeed  I 
My  ship  that  erstwhile  sailed  so  far, 

Has  made  her  port,— has  crossed  the  bar  1 
Her  flags  aloft  are  flying  now  ; 

The  blue  waves  dance  along  her  prow. 

With  landward  breeze  and  sails  at  play, 

She  moves  in  triumph  up  the  bay  I 

Oh  treacherous  ocean,  faithless  sea. 

Glad  tidings  these  1 have  from  thee  ! 

II. 

I saw  that  ship  from  me  depart 
With  boding  fear  and  breaking  heart; 

I watched  her  course  with  such  a grief. 

That  Hope  could  offer  no  relief! 

To-day,— thank  God,— her  perils  o’er, — 

I hail  her  from  this  distant  shore. 

With  greetings  of  my  inmost  soul 
And  joy  my  eyes  cannot  control ! 

Oh  treacherous  ocean,  faithless  sea, 

Thou  hast  indeed  been  true  to  me  ! 

III. 

Oh  weary  prisoners,  long  confined. 

Midst  revels  of  the  wave  and  wind  ! — 

Of  storm  and  wreck  all  fears  have  passed. 

The  prayed  for  land  is  yours  at  last ! 

1 hail  you  all  with  untold  love. 

And  peace  that  cometh  from  above  1 
Oh  dear  good  ship,  oh  dear  good  crew. 

In  gratitude  I pledge  to  you  1 

Oh  treacherous  ocean,  faithless  sea, 

Most  fervent  thanks  thou  hast  from  me  ! 

Edward  L.  Hakeu. 


Buenos  Ayre^,  April  11^  1SD4. 


Edward  Lewis  Baker. 


19 


Ml*.  Baker’s  literary  tastes  prompted  him  to  join 
the  English  Literary  Society  in  Buenos  Ayres  soon 
after  his  arriA^al  in  that  city.  He  was  a most  valua- 
ble member  of  this  organization  and  served  for  sev- 
eral terms  as  its  Presid(‘iit.  He  often  participated  in 
its  debates,  and  on  a number  of  occasions  delivered 
lectures  on  a variety  of  subjects. 

Mr.  Baker’s  useful  and  honorable  career  was  sud- 
denly and  cruelly  cut  short  by  an  accident  which  oc- 
curred to  him  Sunday,  June  20,  1897.  On  this  date 
he  went  to  visit  friends  in  Belgrano,  a suburb  about 
eight  miles  north  of  Buenos  Ayres.  After  dining  with 
them,  he  left  their  residence  for  the  railway  station 
with  the  intention  of  returning  to  the  city  by  the 
train  scheduled  for  8:1-0  p.  m.  His  hosts,  not  being 
sure  that  he  would  be  in  time  for  that  train,  accom- 
panied him  on  his  way  to  the  station,  with  the  inten- 
tion of  having  him  return  home  with  them  and  there 
await  a later  train  if  he  was  not  in  time.  When  within 
two  squares  of  the  station,  seeing  the  train  approach- 
ing, Mr.  Baker  left  his  friends  and  hurried  on  ahead 
to  make  the  train  if  possible,  and  soon  disappeared 
from  their  view.  They  saw  the  train  pull  out  but 
proceeded  to  the  station  to  assure  themselves  tliat  he 


20 


In  Memoriam. 


had  been  in  time.  Calling  to  him  and  receiving  no 
response,  they  supposed  he  was  safely  on  his  way  to 
Buenos  Ayres  and  returned  to  their  home.  The  rest 
of  the  sad  story  is  thus  related  by  the  Buenos  Ayres 
Standard  of  June  22: 

“About  9:10  p.  m.,  one  of  the  Belgrano  station  employes  of 
the  railway  had  his  attention  attracted  by  calls  and  groans  that 
seemed  to  come  from  down  the  line  just  beyond  the  foot  bridge 
towards  Buenos  Aires,  and  proceeding  in  that  direction  he  found 
Consul  Baker  lying  nearly  at  the  end  of  the  platform  about  sixty 
or  seventy  feet  from  the  bridge,  with  his  body  on  the  platform 
and  his  legs  on  the  line.  Other  employes  and  the  police  were 
immediately  summoned,  and  as  it  was  apparent  that  the  Consul 
was  badly  injured  he  was  at  once  removed  to  the  new  Pirovano 
Hospital  and  arrived  there  within  fifteen  or  twenty  minutes  from 
the  time  he  was  found.  When  first  discovered  Consul  Baker  was 
in  a very  dazed  condition  and  remained  so  for  some  time,  and 
was  not  able  to  give  the  railway  employes  his  full  name  or  give 
the  location  of  his  residence,  but  soon  after  he  reached  the  hos- 
pital he  came  to  himself  sufficiently  to  tell  who  he  was  and  where 
he  lived. 

“An  examination  showed  that  his  right  arm  was  broken  near 
the  shoulder  and  badly  bruised  and  wrenched,  and  that  there 
were  some  contusions  on  his  body.  On  being  requested  to  un- 
dergo an  operation,  Mr.  Baker  refused  and  requested  to  be  taken 
to  his  residence.  No.  574  Calle  Maipu.  As  all  efforts  to  prevail 
on  him  to  submit  to  an  operation  were  unavailing,  arrangements 
were  made  to  send  him  to  Buenos  Aires,  and  Dr.  Mulcahy  and 
the  people  at  Mr.  Baker’s  house  were  notified  by  the  police,  by 


Edward  Lewis  Baker. 


21 


telephone,  to  he  prepared  to  receive  him,  and  about  midnight  he 
found  himself  in  his  own  comfortable  room  with  Dr.  Mulcahy 
and  some  assistants  in  attendance. 

“Mr.  W.  I.  Buchanan,  the  U.  S.  Minister,  and  Mr.  Alexander 
Mc^^ally,  were  sent  for  soon  after  Mr.  Baker’s  arrival  and  re- 
mained with  him  throughout  the  night,  and  early  in  the  morn- 
ing a telegram  was  sent  to  Rosario  summoning  Mr.  Willis  E. 
Baker,  the  Consul  at  Rosario  and  the  only  member  of  Mr.  Baker’s 
immediate  family  here  at  present,  his  wife  and  daughter  being 
home  on  a visit,  and  his  son,  Mr.  E.  Lewis  Baker,  formerly  vice- 
consul  here,  being  now  resident  in  the  states. 

“Dr.  Mulcahy,  after  a careful  examination,  decided  that 
ISIr.  Baker’s  right  arm  would  have  to  be  removed  close  to  the 
shoulder,  and  advised  him  to  go  to  the  British  Hosp  tal,  where 
he  could  have  every  care  and  attention  after  the  operation,  and 
about  8 o’clock  yesterday  morning  the  Consul  was  taken  in  an 
ambulance  to  the  Hospital,  where  the  necessary  operation  was 
performed  early  in  the  day.” 

The  accident,  as  was  subsequently  learned  from  the 
patient  himself,  was  caused  by  his  attempt  to  board 
the  train  after  it  was  in  motion.  He  reached  the 
station  as  the  train  was  leaving  and  grasped  at  the 
hand-rail  of  one  of  the  coaches.  He  missed  his  hold, 
however,  and  attempted  to  board  the  next  coach  as 
it  passed.  By  this  time  the  train  had  acquired  con- 
siderable momentum,  and  the  result  was  that  Mr. 
Baker  was  thi'own  and  dragged  for  a distance  of  some 
thirty’-five  feet  in  the  narrow  space  between  the  car 


22 


In  Memoriam. 


steps  and  the  station  platform.  His  hold  was  finally 
released  by  a slight  depression  at  the  side  of  the 
track,  but  not  until  his  right  arm  had  been  broken 
to  pieces. 

Upon  the  arrival  of  Mr.  Willis  E.  Baker,  in  answer 
to  the  telegram  announcing  the  terrible  calamity. 
Minister  Buchanan  sent  a brief  cablegram  relating  the 
occurrence  to  the  State  Department,  which  was,  by 
direction  of  the  Secretary  of  State,  repeated  to  Mrs. 
Baker  in  Chicago.  This  message  stated  that  all  pos- 
sible relief  was  being  given  the  patient. 

For  thirteen  days  Mr.  Baker  lay  in  the  British 
Hospital  apparently  convalescing.  He  suffered  no 
severe  shock  from  the  amputation,  and  it  was  thought 
he  had  a fair  chance  for  recovery.  He  was  reported 
as  cheerful  and  hopeful  throughout  and  made  light  of 

f 

his  terrible  affliction,  saying  that  the  loss  of  his  right 
arm  would  be  no  serious  matter  as  he  could  use  his 
left  arm  with  equal  facility. 

On  the  night  of  Saturda^q  July  3,  a change  for  the 
worse  occurred.  His  stomach  suddenly  became  weak 
and  fever  set  in.  From  this  time  on  he  gradually 
sank,  and  at  noon,  Thursday,  July  8,  1897,  his 
spirit  passed  away. 


Edward  Lewis  Baker. 


23 


His  death  was  all  the  more  sad  in  that  he  had  for 
some  time  been  anticipating  an  early  return  to  his 
native  land,  there  to  join  the  members  of  his  family 
who  had  preceded  him.  He  had  been  given  to  under- 
stand that  he  would  soon  be  transferred  to  some  con- 
sulate nearer  home,  but  failiug  that,  it  had  been  his 
intention  to  resign.  He  missed  his  wife  and  absent 
children  greatly,  and  was  often  very  lonesome  and 
home-sick  with  a passionate  yearning  to  join  them, 
but,  owing  to  the  exigencies  of  his  consular  duties 
since  their  departure  from  Buenos  Ayres,  he  had  been 
unable  to  leave  his  post.  Shortly  before  the  date  of 
his  accident,  however,  he  had  been  granted  a leave  of 
absence  with  permission  to  return  to  the  United  States, 
and  he  had  made  arrangements  to  avail  himself  of  it 
at  an  early  day.  He  had  planned  an  extended  visit 
with  his  family  and  with  a number  of  relatives  and 
friends  in  his  dearly  loved  native  land;  but,  alas!  a 
mysterious  and  inscrutable  providence  ordained  other- 
wise, and  it  was  not  his  privilege  to  revisit  the  scenes 
of  his  youth  and  early  manhood. 


24 


In  Memoriam. 


^ The  popularity  of  Mr.  Baker  and  the  hi^*h  regard 
in  which  he  was  held  by  the  public  are  proved  by  the 
■universal  sympathy  expressed  during  his  treatment  in 
the  British  Hospital  and  by  the  grief  felt  on  all  sides 
when  the  news  of  his  death  was  learned.  The  Buenos 
Ayres  Standard  of  July  9,  speaking  editorially,  said: 

‘•The  death  of  Consul  Baker,  at  noon  yesterday,  in  the  Brit- 
ish Hospital,  plunges  the  foreign  community  in  mourning  and 
removes  another  landmark  from  our  midst.  Few  men  in  the 
Plate  ever  enjoyed  a more  cosmopolitan  representation,  a greater 
popularity  than  the  genial  gentleman  who  succumbed  yesterday 
to  the  terrible  wounds  inflicted  in  a railway  accident.  His  good 
humor,  his  sociality,  his  depth  of  good  nature,  were  his  insepara- 
blecompanions  through  life,  and  spread  sunshine  wherever  he 
went.  Such  was  his  popularity,  that  we  may  say  with  safety 
that  he  had  no  enemies;  that  he  not  only  enjoyed  the  esteem  and 
affection  of  his  countrymen,  but  all  nationalities,  Englishmen  in 
particular.  He  had  in  him  the  magnetism  that  commands  sym- 
pathy, and  with  exceptional  talents  to  fill  his  official  position,  he 
combined  all  the  qualities  that  tend  to  make  a favorite  in  all 
social  circles.  We  have  lost  a good,  true-hearted,  broad-minded, 
and  in  many  respects  an  exceptionally  endowed  friend.  As  we 
mourn  oyer  the  fatality  that  cut  him  off  from  our  midst,  we 
place  a wreath  of  immortelles  over  his  grave,  and  tender  his 
sorrowing  relatives  our  sincere  condolence  in  their  terrible  be- 
reavement. 

******** 

“Mr.  Baker  had  not  been  located  in  Buenos  Ayres  long  before 
his  adaptability  for  the  position  which  he  filled  manifested  it- 
self, and  the  merchants  of  Buenos  Ayres,  the  captains  of  vessels 


Edward  Lewis  Baker. 


25 


trading  with  the  states,  and  the  department  of  state  at  Wash- 
ington found  him  a consul  standing  far  above  the  average  in 
ability.  For  many  years  the  reports  of  Mr.  Baker  have  been  ac- 
cepted as  authoritative  on  the  matters  treated  in  them,  and 
many  times  the  department  of  state  has  requested  him  to  make 
special  reports  on  various  matters  such  as  a consul  would  not 
generally  be  expected  to  deal  with.  This  he  did  in  such  a satis- 
factory manner  that  he  has  received  letters  of  thanks  and  con- 
gratulations from  more  than  oneSecretaay  of  State. 

“Mr.  Baker  leaves  a wife,  Julia  Edwards,  two  sons,  Willis 
Edwards  and  Edward  Lewis,  and  a daughter,  Julia  Elizabeth: 
all  but  Mr.  Willis  E.  Baker,  the  Consul  at  Rosario,  being  in  the 
states  at  present,  where  Mr.  Baker  had  hoped  soon  to  join  them, 
but  it  was  not  to  be,  and  last  night  the  telegraph  informed  them 
that  the  spirit  of  a fond  husband  and  loving  indulgent  father 
hid  passed  to  its  eternal  home.” 

The  Review  of  the  River  Plate,  published  in  Buenos 
Ayres,  comments  on  Mr.  Baker’s  death  as  follows; 

“We  offer  to  our  readers  to-day  a memento  of  our  old  friend, 
the  friend  of  every  man  who  knew  him,  who  has  so  recently 
been  torn  from  our  midst  by  the  tragic  accident  which  caused 
heartfelt  grief  throughout  the  British  and  American  communi- 
ties of  Buenos  Ayres. 

“In  publishing  his  portrait  the  Review  of  the  River  Plate 
desires  only  to  pay  a small  tribute  of  respect  and  esteem  to  the 
memory  of  the  man  who,  without  being  what  is  commonly 
known  as  popular,  for  Consul  Baker  was  too  modest  to  court 
popularity,  won  the  affection  of  everyone  with  whom  he  came  in 


2G 


Ix  Memoriam. 


contact,  by  his  bright,  genial  personality,  his  utter  unselfishness, 
and  the  loving  kindness  which  he  was  ever  ready  to  extend  to  his 
fellow  men. 

* * * * * 


“So  modest  was  he  that  few  knew  of  the  experience  and 
talent,  as  lawyer  and  journalist,  that  lay  behind  his  abilities  as 
consul ; fewer  still  were  aware  of  the  fact  that  he  often  wrote 
verses  full  of  the  tenderness  and  sympathy  that  animated  his 
being. 

“As  we  write,  there  lies  before  us  a manuscript  containing  a 
small  collection  of  his  poems,  from  which  we  are  tempted  to 
make  many  an  excerpt,  but  we  will  respect  tbe  modesty  that  our 
dear  old  friend  so  closely  cultivated  in  his  life,  and  only  quote  a 
verse  or  two  of  a poem  entitled  “Do  Good, — Judge  not’’  which 
indicate,  more  than  any  words  of  ours,  the  true  nature  of  the 
man : 

[Here  follows  an  extract  from  a poem  previously  quoted  in 
full  in  this  memorial.] 

“We  might  perhaps  have  chosen  from  the  collection  before  us, 
verses  of  a more  ambitious  character,  for  there  are  many,  but 
none  which  indicate  more  truly  the  sentiments  he  held  and  car- 
ried into  practice  during  his  life. 

“We  have  lost  a friend,  in  the  truest  sense  of  the  term,  and  sa 
long  as  memory  lasts,  one  of  its  greenest  spots  will  be  filled  by 
Consul  Baker.” 

As  an  additional  evidence  of  public  regard,  it  may 
not  be  amiss  to  mention,  in  advance  of  its  receipt, 
that  Mrs.  Baker  has  been  notified  by  cable  that  the 


Ervvard  Lewis  Baker. 


27 


friends  of  her  husband  in  the  Argentine  Republic  are 
having  prepared  for  his  monument  an  elaborate 
memorial  tablet  in  bronze,  attesting  their  apprecia- 
tion of  his  services  as  consul.  This  tablet,  with  di- 
mensions of  forty  by  thirty  inches,  is  described  as  a 
work  of  art,  presenting  in  has  relief  a bust  of  the  de- 
ceased and  the  coats  of  arms  of  the  United  States 
and  the  Argentine  Republic,  with  suitable  inscription. 
A tablet  of  a similar  nature  has  also  been  placed  in 
the  American  (M..  E.)  Church  in  Buenos  Ayres,  where 
a special  service  to  his  mernorv,  consisting  of  vocal 
and  instrumental  music  and  appropriate  addresses, 
both  in  English  and  in  Spanish,  was  held  Saturday 
evening,  September  11,  1897. 


The  Standard  of  July  10  gives  the  following  ac- 
count of  the  funeral  services  in  Buenos  Ayres,  which 
were  extremely  impressive: 

“The  friends  of  the  late  Mr.  Edward  L.  Baker  mustered 
in  strong  numbers  yesterday  to  p;jy  the  last  tribute  to  one 
whose  memory  will  long  be  cherished  by  all  who  knew  him. 
It  was  not  an  appropriate  day  for  a funeral,  for  on  the  occa- 
sion of  the  national  anniversary— the  glorious  9th— the  houses 
decked  out  with  flags  of  all  nations,  presented  a gay  aspect, 


28 


In  Memoriam. 


and  the  streets  were  filled  with  the  sounds  of  public  rejoicing — 
another  of  those  powerful  contrasts  which  Fate,  like  a skilled 
painter,  employs  for  the  production  of  effects. 

“While  the  city  rejoiced  in  the  celebration  of  an  historical 
event,  a community  wept  over  the  tomb  of  one  who,  during 
life,  seemed  to  be  the  incarnation  of  cheerfulness.  In  the 
very  ambient  of  the  city,  the  sigh  that  thousands  breathed 
for  the  lost  friend  must  have  wandered  like  a stray  echo. 
The  laughing  crowd  that  thronged  the  streets  was  hushed  at 
the  approach  of  the  magnificent  hearse.  All  gazed  with  won- 
dering sadness  at  the  imposing  procession,  and  all  guessed  by 
the  presence  of  United  States  sailors,  and  the  numbers  of  the 
mourners  that  an  important  and  loved  member  of  the  North 
American  community  had  been  cut  down  by  the  Grim  Mower. 

“The  American  church  in  Calle  Corrientes  was  too  small 
to  accommodate  the  crowd  of  friends  who  assembled  to  assist 
at  the  funeral  service.  A considerable  number  of  ladies  occu- 
pied the  interior,  and  the  throngs  spread  from  the  portals  to 
the  sidewalk,  where  a battalion  of  seventy  blue  jackets  from 
the  U.  S.  S.  “Castine,”  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant 
Bronaugh,  divided  into  two  companies,  the  first  commanded 
by  Lieutenant  Strauss,  and  the  second  by  Ensign  Robertson, 
were  drawn  up.  The  coffin,  half  concealed  under  the  Ameri- 
can fiag,  was  placed  at  the  foot  of  the  altar.  On  either  side 
were  numbers  of  beautiful  wreaths.  The  appearance  of  the 
church  was  simple  and  solemn.  There  was  sadness  on  every 
face,  and  the  sacred  building  w'as  filled  with  an  atmosphere  of 
sorrow.  The  service  opened  with  the  hymn.  Rock  of  Ages, 
announced  by  the  Rev.  McLaughlin,  and  was  conducted  in  the 
following  order: 


Edward  Lewis  Baker. 


29 


1.  — Hymn,  Rock  of  Ages. 

2. — Scripture  and  Prayer,  Dr.  Drees. 

3.  — Hymn,  Bright  Light  is  Here. 

4.  — Address  by  Dr.  Thomson. 

5.  — “My  Country  ’Tis  of  Thee.” 

“On  the  conclusion  of  the  service  which  was  very  impres- 
sive, the  coffin  was  carried  out  by  Minister  Buchanan,  Vice 
Consul  Chute,  Commander  Berry  of  the  U.  S.  S.  “Castine,” 
Messrs.  Zimmerrnann,  Webster,  McNally,  Kimball  and  Beccar. 
Immediately  following  came  Mr.  Willis  E.  Baker,  on  whose 
face  grief  and  long  nights  at  the  bedside  of  his  lamented 
father  had  left  deep  marks.  To  him  we  tender  our  heart-felt 
condolence.  The  shock  of  the  fatal  ending  of  the  accident  to 
his  father  must  have  been  all  the  greater  to  him,  since  up  to 
within  a day  of  his  death  there  was  great  hope  of  the  consul 
pulling  through. 

“A  magnificent  hearse,  drawn  by  six  coal  black  horses, 
conveyed  the  coffin  to  the  Recoleta.  Slowly  and  sadly  the 
procession  of  carriages,  headed  by  the  Castine  sailors,  wound 
its  way  through  the  gay  streets.  On  arrival  at  the  cemetery, 
the  coffin  was  borne  into  the  vestibule,  and  here  the  Belgian 
Consul,  Mr.  Ostendorp,  delivered  an  eloquent  speech.  The  Rev. 
Pelham  Ogle  of  the  Church  of  England,  conducted  a service 
in  the  cemetery  and  was  followed  by  Dr.  McLaughlin  of  the 
American  church,  who  uttered  a short  prayer.  Mr.  Beccar,  a 
very  warm  friend  of  Mr.  Baker,  then  made  a short  and  feeling 
address,  during  which  he  nearly  broke  down  through  emotion, 
and  the  coffin  was  lowered  into  the  vault  of  the  Correa-Morales 
family. 

“And  thus  the  curtain  drops  on  the  earthly  existence  of 
him  whom  we  all  liked  and  whom  we  all  called  Consul  Baker. 
This  was  a sad  and  unexpected  ending;  but  if  the  conscious- 


30 


Ix  Memoriam. 


ness  of  being  loved  and  esteemed,  a feeling  he  must  have  fully 
experienced  in  the  brief  interval  between  the  accident  and  its 
fatal  denounment,  in  that  flickering  period  of  his  life’s  flame, 
when  he  lay  helpless,  though  cheerful,  in  the  British  hospital — 
if  that  consciousness  be  of  any  source  of  comfort  to  a dying 
man,  then  there  could  have  been  no  bitterness  ‘in  the  longing, 
lingering  look’,  one  must  cast  behind  him,  as  the  poet  said, 
resigning  ‘that  pleasing,  anxious  being.’  He  has  passed  away, 
it  is  true;  but  his  memory  will  long  live  amongst  us. 

“The  funeral  procession  proceeded  to  the  cemetery  in  the 
following  order: 

“Police  Escort,  battalion  of  seventy  sailors  from  the  U.  S. 
S.  Castine,  commanded  by  Lieutenant  W.  V.  Bronaugh. 

“First  company — Lieutenant  J.  Strauss. 

“Second  company— Ensign  N.  H.  Robertson. 

“Hearse — Guard  of  honor  of  ten  picked  sailors  from  the 
U.  S.  S.  Castine. 

“Carriages  containing  pall  bearers,  Mr.  Willis  E.  Baker 
and  Rev.  Drs.  Drees,  McLaughlin  and  Thomson. 

“Carriages  containing  the  following  persons:” 

[Here  follows  a list  of  names,  several  hundred  in  number, 
comprising  all  the  foreign  consuls,  the  principal  government 
and  municipal  officials,  and  a large  number  of  private  families 
of  the  American,  Argentine,  English,  German  and  other  com- 
munities.] 

The  address  of  Consul  Albert  Ostendorp,  of  Belo-iuin, 
mentioned  in  the  foregoing  account  of  the  funeral,  was 
as  follows: 

“Gentlemen:— On  behalf  of  the  foreign  consular  body,  ac- 
credited to  the  Argentine  Government  in  Buenos  Ayres,  I beg 


Edward  Lewis  Baker. 


31 


to  bid  a sad  farewell  to  our  dear  colleague  and  esteemed  friend, 
Mr.  Edward  L.  Baker,  for  so  many  years  Consul  of  the  United 
States  of  America  in  this  city,  who  died  under  circumstances 
certainly  as  painful  as  they  were  unexpected. 

‘His  genial  character,  uniform  kindness,  ever  obliging 
disposition,  and  conciliatory  mode  of  fulfllliug  his  consular 
duties,  had  won  for  him  the  highest  regard  of  all  here,  and 
the  best  proof  that  he  was  likewise  greatly  appreciated  at 
Washington  is,  that  notwithstanding  the  numerous  political 
changes  in  the  government  of  the  United  States  since  he  took 
office,  about  twenty-three  years  ago,  he  always  remained  Consul 
of  the  Great  Republic  in  the  Capital  of  Argentina. 

“His  indefatigable  industry  was  well  known  to  all,  and  the 
numerous  reports  he  sent  to  the  State  Department  on  all  sub- 
jects of  public  interest,  have  been  most  favorably  commented 
upon  and  repeatedly  quoted  by  the  American  and  European 
press. 

“The  resignation  and  composure  with  which  he  faced  his 
terrible  accident,  were  admirable.  A few  hours  after  the  pain- 
ful amputation  of  his  right  arm  at  the  shoulder,  he  said,  al- 
most cheerfully:  ‘Well,  I still  have  my  left  arm,  and  as  I can 
write  with  that,  I will  continue  to  be  useful  to  my  country, 
and  countrymen  here.’ 

“These  noble  words  show  what  a brave  and  manly  character 
our  lamented  friend  had.  He  was  the  first  to  comfort  his  son, 
who  flew  to  his  bed-side,  and  all  the  friends  who  were  admit- 
ted to  see  him,  and  thus  take  the  place,  as  far  as  posssble,  of 
the  members  of  his  family,  at  present  in  the  States. 

“For  a few  days,  prospects  of  his  recovery  seemed  bright, 
but  alasi  these  favorable  symptoms  were  deceitful,  and  gradu- 
ally our  beloved  friend  grew  worse  and  worse,  until  death. 


32 


In  Memouiam. 


while  relieving  him  of  all  earthly  sufferings,  doubtless  extended 
to  him  that  Heavenly  reward,  the  heritage  of  the  good  and 
just. 

“May  his  family  and  relatives  find  comfort  in  the  unani- 
mous expression  of  deep  sympathy  and  sincere  sentiments  of 
condolence  which  the  demise  of  Consul  Baker  has  elicited  from 
all  classes  in  this  great  city. 

“He  has  died  far  away  from  his  wife,  his  son  and  daughter, 
in  this  foreign  land,  which,  however,  as  he  well  knew,  is  so 
hospitable  to  strangers  that,  as  was  his  case,  it  becomes  a 
second  home  for  those  who  land  on  its  shores. 

“Consul  Baker!  for  the  last  time  in  this  world,  your  afflict- 
ed colleagues  bid  you  a final  farewell,  and  may  your  soul  rest 
in  God’s  eternal  peace!” 

Upon  receipt  of  Minister  Bnchanan’s  cable  message, 
announcing  Consul  Baker’s  death,  the  Secretary  of 
State  communicated  the  sad  intelligence  to  his  widow, 
and  after  consulting  her  wishes,  cabled  the  Minister 
directions  to  have  the  body  embalmed  and  shipped  to 
Springfield,  Illinois,  for  interment  there.  These  direc- 
tions were  promptly  carried  out,  and  the  remains 
were  shipped  .per  steamer  “Merida,”  of  the  Norton 
line,  which  left  Buenos  Ayres  July  17,  and  arrived  in 
New  York  August  21.  The  casket  containing  the 
body  was  there  taken  in  charge  by  the  United  States 
Despatch  Agent  by  order  of  the  Secretary  of  State, 


p]DWARD  i^Ewis  Baker. 


33 


and  transshipped  to  Springfield.  In  this  connection, 
the  Springfield  Monitor  of  August  26  published  the 
following: 

“The  remains  of  Hon.  Edward  L.  Baker,  late  Un  ted  States 
Consul  at  Buenos  Ayres,  arrived  here  yesterday  morning  and 
were  taken  in  charge  by  T.  C.  Smith’s  Sons,  the  undertakers, 
who  removed  the  heavy  outside  box  in  which  the  casket  had 
been  placed  for  shipment.  The  casket  was  then  taken  to  the 
home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Albert  S.  Edwards,  at  the  old  Lincoln 
residence  on  South  Eighth  Street,  where  it  will  remain  until 
it  shall  be  taken  thence  to  the  church  this  morning  at  10 
o’clock.  The  casket  in  which  the  remains  of  the  dead  consul 
will  be  consigned  to  the  grave  is  a magnificent  one,  and  en- 
tirely different  from  those  now  in  use  in  this  country.  It  is 
of  solid  ebony,  with  a heavy  metallic  lining,  and  weighs  about 
900  pounds.  The  cover  is  elaborately  hand  carved,  the  design 
of  a cross  set  upright  in  a pedestal  of  heaped  stones  above  the 
name  plate  and  a scroll  beneath,  being  beautifully  executed. 
The  plate  and  heavy  handles  are  gold  plated.  The  shape  is 
somewhat  like  that  of  the  old-fashioned  coffin,  the  sides  being 
bounded  by  straight  lines  instead  of  curves.  It  is  probably 
the  most  costly  and  elegant  casket  ever  seen  in  Springfield. 

“Owing  to  the  long  distance  which  the  body  had  traveled 
and  length  of  time  consumed  in  the  journey,  it  was  not 
deemed  advisable  to  expose  the  remains  and  the  casket  will 
not  be  opened.  The  ship  Merida,  in  which  the  body  was 
brought  to  New  York,  left  Buenos  Ayres  on  July  17  and  ar- 
rived in  New  York  last  Saturday.  A number  of  relatives  and 
friends  of  the  deceased  have  arrived  in  the  city  to  attend  the 
funeral,  and  last  evening  called  at  the  residence  of  Mr. 


:34 


]n  Memoiuam. 


Edwards  to  express  their  sympathy  with  the  bereaved  widow 
and  children  and  recall  memories  of  the  earlier  days  before 
the  family  ties  had  been  broken  by  the  fate  that  separates 
households  through  the  exigencies  of  duty  and  business.” 

The  Monitor  of  the  same  date  reported  the  action 
of  the  members  of  the  press  of  Springfield  as  follows: 

“A  meeting  of  members  of  the  press  was  held  at  the  Leland 
hotel  at  2 o’clock  yesterday  afternoon  to  take  action  in  regard 
to  the  death  of  Hon.  E.  L.  Baker,  United  States  Consul  to 
Buenos  Ayres,  Argentine  Republic.  Capt.  T.  W.  S.  Kidd  was 
elected  chairman,  and  T.  Norwood  Bratt  secretary  of  the 
meeting. 

“Hon  E.  L.  Merritt  was  called  upon  and  made  a few  re- 
marks, during  which  he  stated  that  INIr.  Baker  was  one  of  the 
organizers  of  the  Illinois  Press  Association  at  Peoria  in  ]8()(i. 

“On  motion  of  H.  W.  Clendenin,  the  chair  was  empowered 
to  appoint  a committee  of  three  to  prepare  suitable  expressions 
on  the  death  of  Mr.  Baker.  The  chair  appointed  Messrs.  E. 
L.  Merritt,  C.  R.  Paul  and  E.  k.  Snively  as  said  committee, 
but  Mr.  Snively  being  unable  to  serve,  on  motion  of  Mr.  Clen- 
denin Capt.  Kidd  was  named  in  his  stead. 

“A  motion  by  Mr.  Merritt  to  the  effect  that  all  members  of 
the  press  attend  the  funeral  in  a body,  and  extending  an  invi- 
tation to  all  printers  and  members  of  the  press  not  present  to 
attend  was  adopted. 

“It  was  decided  to  meet  at  the  Leland  hotel  at  9:30  o'clock 
this  morning. 


Edward  Erwis  Baker. 


35 


“The  coniiuittee,  through  its  chairman,  Mr.  Merritt,  made 
the  following  report,  which  was  adopted: 

“ Tn  placing  the  myrtle  on  the  grave  of  our  deceased 
brother,  the  press  of  the  city  of  Springfield  desire  to  bear  wit- 
ness to  the  integrity  and  manly  worth  of  Edward  L.  Baker. 
As  a husband  and  father  he  was  fondly  affectionate  and  gen- 
erous; as  a friend  he  was  true,  constant  and  self-sacrificing; 
as  a citizen,  loyal.  progre>sive  and  public  spirited.  As  an 
editor  he  was  strong,  capable  and  honest.  Belonging  to  the 
pioneer  journalists  of  Illinois,  he  wielded  an  intluence  the  im- 
press of  which  is  now  marked  in  the  many  strong  newspapers 
of  the  state. 

“‘Peace  to  his  ashes. 

“ ‘The  secretary  of  this  meeting  is  instructed  to  forward  a 
copy  of  the  above  minutes  to  the  family  of  the  deceased.’” 

Great  sympathy  was  expressed  for  the  bereaved 
family  by  the  citizens  of  Springfield,  and  the  comments 
on  the  virtues  and  characteristics  of  the  deceased, 
both  by  the  press  and  by  private  utterance,  were 
most  eulogistic,  and  showed  the  high  esteem  in  which 
Ml*.  Baker  was  held  by  former  fellow-citizens.  The 
Monitor  expressed  the  sentiments  of  its  editor,  Capt. 
T.  W.  S.  Kidd,  as  follows: 

IIOX.  EDWARD  L.  BAKKPv. 

“It  has  been  nearly  a quarter  of  a century  since  he  who 
lies  in  his  casket  prepared  for  sepulture,  at  the  old  homestead 
of  his  friend,  the  immortal  Lincoln,  lelt  us  to  serve  his  na- 


30 


In  -Memoriam. 


tion  in  a foreign  land ; since  he  who  breathed  his  last  among 
those  who  were,  comparatively  speaking,  strangers  to  him,  al- 
though warm-hearted  and  attesting  their  high  appreciation  of 
his  worth  and  virtues,  which  had  entwined  themselves  around 
them  by  social  and  business  contact  for  years,  and  did  all  they 
could  to  smooth  his  pillow  and  comfort  him  as  he  approached 
the  dark  \^aters  of  the  river  of  death,  left  the  capital  city  of 
the  great  state  of  Illinois,  known  by  nearly  every  man,  woman 
and  child.  He  left  us  full  of  hope,  full  of  vigor,  full  of  a 
commendable  ambition  to  make  his  mark  in  the  world:  to 
place  his  name  upon  fame’s  scroll  as  one  who  had  served  his 
country  well  at  the  post  of  honor  where  his  country  had  placed 
him.  At  the  period  of  his  departure  no  man’s  hand  was 
greeted  with  a warmer  grasp  of  friendship ; no  other  face  and 
form  and  smile  more  welcome  any  and  everywhere  in  this 
city  full  of  friends — for  enemies  he  had  none.  The  history  of 
Illinois  is  luminous  with  the  names  of  able  editorial  writers, 
and  among  the  brightest,  the  strongest,  the  most  pungent  and 
forcible  of  all  in  the  great  galaxy  of  such  the  name  of 
Edward  L.  Baker,  our  former  fellow  citizen,  editor  of  the 
Journal  and  later  American  Consul  at  Buenos  Ayres,  was  the 
peer  of  any.  This  may  seem,  coming  from  the  writer,  the 
‘voice  and  utterance’  of  personal  friendship,  but  it  is  the 
truth,  and  history  will  so  record  it.  He  was  our  political  an- 
tipode, but,  personally,  was  one  of  the  most  genial,  companion- 
able and  elegant  gentlemen  we  ever  met  with.  Mr.  Baker 
may  be  said  to  have  been  a partisan.  In  the  principles  and 
pitrposes  of  his  party  and  seeking — as  we  believe  he  did— all 
honorable  means  to  place  his  party’s  measures  and  men  in  the 
front,  he  certainly  was;  but  never  factious,  never  proscriptive, 
and  never  unreasonable  with  an  opponent.  There  were  no 
shades  of  color  in  his  editorial  work,  nor  in  his  political  senti- 


Edward  Lewis  Baker. 


87 


ments,  and  at  the  same  time  he  possessed  in  a remarkable  de- 
gree a gentle  tolerance  for  opposing  opinions,  usually  free  from 
bitterness,  sparing  of  assault,  clad  in  respectful  terms,  but  so 
candid  they  commanded  respect  for  his  opinions  even  with 
the  most  ardent  enemy.  It  is  hard  to  realize  the  great  changes 
which  have  taken  place  since  Mr.  Baker  left  his  native 
Illinois  to  dwell  in  a foreign  land.  His  years  spent  there  have 
been  invaluable  to  this  nation  for  be  it  said  to  his  credit,  the 
most  valuable  information  has  been  given  to  his  government 
by  his  inexhaustible  reports  concerning  the  resources  of  the 
wealth,  advancement  and  future  prospects  of  the  Argentine 
Republic.  In  his  labors  and  untiring  zeal  to  unearth  valuable 
statistics  for  the  use  of  the  government  and  his  developed 
power  to  grasp  its  resources  and  make  them  intelligible  to  the 
department  of  state,  he  has  been  simply  indefatigable  and  it 
has  resulted  in  verifying  the  lines  of  immortal  poesy: 

‘Peace  hath  her  victories, 

No  less  renowned  than  war.’ 

“We  shall  see  our  beloved  former  fellow-citizen  no  more 
with  mortal  eyes.  He  has  breathed  his  last  among  strangers, 
exiled  from  the  loves  and  cherished  scenes  of  his  early  life. 
He  has  gone  from  the  places  and  people  who  loved  him  on 
earth  to  the  higher  realms  of  immortality.  He  is  lost  to 
literature,  lost  to  diplomacy,  lost  to  home  and  friends;  but 
his  record  as  an  official ; his  record  as  a devotee  to  literary 
pursuits;  as  husband,  father  and  friend,  will  stand  as  a mon- 
ument lasting  as  the  memory  of  his  private  virtues,  his  public 
trusts,  his  high  sense  of  honor,  his  unquestioned  integrity, 
lie  has  gone  into  the  dark  valley  to  verify  the  truthfulness 
of  the  poet’s  inspiration  : 


38 


In  Memoriam. 


‘Our  lives  are  rivers  gliding  free 
To  that  unfathomed,  boundless  sea, 

The  silent  grave. 

Thither  all  earthly  pomp  and  boast 
Roll,  to  be  swallowed  up  and  lost 
In  one  dark  wave.’  ” 

The  funeral  services  were  held  from  the  First  Pres- 
byterian Church  on  Thursdajb  August  26,  and  are 
thus  described  by  the  Monitor  of  August  27 : 

“Beneath  the  native  sod  of  his  own  loved  Illinois,  and  fast 
by  the  city  where  much  that  was  best  in  his  life  work  had 
been  accomplished,  the  mortal  remains  of  Edward  L.  Baker 
were  laid  away  yesterday  morning.  About  the  open  grave  wife 
and  children,  brothers,  sisters,  near  relatives  and  friends  of 
the  olden  time,  whom  his  loving  heart  most  tenderly  cher- 
ished, stood  with  tear-dimmed  eyes  to  pay  the  last  loyal  tribute 
of  affection  to  that  which,  as  the  earthly  tenement  of  a noble 
soul,  had  been  to  them  most  precious.  The  sylvan  beauty  of 
the  spot  selected  as  the  last  resting  place  of  the  beloved  form, 
the  tender  influence  of  a common  sorrow  in  the  renewing  of 
family  ties  and  the  reunion  of  a household  long  separated  by 
the  hand  of  chance  or  fate,  made  the  scene  an  impressive  one, 
and  members  of  the  family  lingered  long  about  the  flower- 
strewn  grave,  as  if  loth  to  part  from  the  resting  place  of  the 
beloved  one  whose  home  coming  had  been  so  sadly  different 
from  what  they  had  fondly  hoped. 

“The  funeral  of  lion.  Edward  L.  Baker,  late  United  States 
Consul  at  Buenos  Ayres  and  formerly  one  of  Springfield's  most 
brilliant  journalists  and  most  valued  citizens,  w’as  worthy  of 
the  man.  Although  it  has  been  twenty-three  years  since  Mr. 


Edwat^d  Leavis  Rake II. 


39 


Baker  left  his  native  land  and  the  city  of  his  choice,  and 
naturally  a large  number  of  those  who  were  his  intimates  and 
co-workers  have  passed  away  or  have  removed  to  other  homes, 
the  attendance  at  the  funeral  was  very  large  and  included 
many  who  had  been  his  personal  acquaintances.  The  press  of 
the  city  and  the  veteran  printers,  including  all  of  the  resident 
ex-employes  of  the  State  Journal  at  the  time  he  was  its  editor, 
attended  in  a body,  and  occupied  prominent  seats  in  the 
church.  They  also  went  to  the  cemetery  and  witnessed  the 
interment.  The  members  of  the  family  and  intimate  friends 
left  the  residence  of  A.  S.  Edwards,  the  old  Lincoln  Home,  in 
carriages  a little  before  10  o’clock  for  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church  where  the  services  were  conducted  by  the  Rev. 
Frederick  H.  Wines,  D.  I).,  long  an  intimate  friend  of  the 
fam  ly. 

“The  massive  ebony  casket  borne  by  the  undertaker’s  assis- 
tants was  attended  by  the  following  pall  bearers,  who  were 
relatives  or  intimate  friends  of  the  deceased:  Judge  David  .1. 
Baker,  of  Chicago,  late  of  the  Illinois  Supreme  Court,  and 
Col.  John  P.  Baker,  U.  S.  A.,  of  St.  Louis,  brothers;  William 
B.  Gilbert  and  M.  F.  Gilbert,  of  Cairo,  nephews ; Albert  S. 
Edwards,  of  Springfield,  and  Charles  Edwards,  of  Chicago,  ?md 
Col.  L.  S.  Metcalfe,  of  St.  Louis,  brothers-in-law  and  Gen. 
Thomas  O.  Osborn,  of  Chicago,  formerly  Minister  to  the  Ar- 
gentine Republic  and  a dear  friend.  The  quartette  of  singers, 
Miss  Jessie  Reed.  Miss  Lou  Jlibbs,  Mr.  Joseph  Hudson  and 
Prof.  J.  B.  Barnaby,  sang  the  hymns  in  a very  touching  man- 
ner, the  selections  being  peculiarly  appropriate.  The  opening 
hymn  was  a favorite  of  the  deceased  and  was  sung  by  special 
request:  ‘Come  Ye  Disconsolate.’  At  other  times  during  the 
service  the  quartette  sang  a beautiful  chant,  ‘Abide  With 
Me,’  and  the  ever  consoling  ‘Lead  Kindly  Light.’  Mrs.  T.  C. 


40 


In  Memoriam. 


Henkle  lead  the  choir  in  the  last  named  hymn  and  sang  a 
closing  solo,  ‘The  Tear,’  by  Stagelli,  a selection  rich  in  ten- 
derness and  consolation  and  beautifully  rendered.  Mrs.  Henkle 
and  Mrs.  Alice  Knap,  who  played  the  organ  accompaniments, 
had  been  specially  requested  by  the  family  to  assist  in  the 
music  as  former  neighbors  and  valued  friends. 

“After  the  usual  prayer  and  appropriate  reading  from  the 
Scripture  Dr.  Wines  delivered  the  funeral  address,  which  was 
a masterly  effort  and  in  many  respects  out  of  the  stereotyped 
order.  Opening  his  address  Dr.  Wines  quoted  from  ‘In  Me- 
moriam’ : 


“‘Fair  ship,  that  from  the  Italian  shore. 
Sailest  the  placid  ocean-plains. 

With  my  lost  Arthur’s  loved  remains. 
Spread  thy  full  wings,  and  waft  him  o’er. 


“‘So  draw  him  home  to  those  that  mourn 
In  vain ; a favorable  speed 
Ruffle  thy  mirror’d  mast,  and  lead 
Thro’  prosperous  floods  his  holy  urn. 


“ ‘So  sang  Tennyson,  when  the  friend  of  his  youth  died  in 
a foreign  land.  How  many  hearts  have  echoed  this  cry.  The 
weary  weeks  are  past,  and  in  answer  to  our  prayer  no  rude  air 
perplexed  the  vessel's  sliding  keel,  the  gentle  heavens  slept 
before  the  prow,  while  that  noble  breast  heaved  but  with  the 
heaving  deep,  and  here  in  this  ebony  casket  carved  by  alien 
hands,  lie  the  precious  relics  brought  by  the  sacred  bark. 


Edavard  Lewis  Baker. 


41 


“ ‘’Tis  little:  but  it  looks  in  truth 
As  if  the  quiet  bones  were  blest 
Among  familiar  names  to  rest, 

And  in  the  places  of  his  youth. 

‘•‘Come  then,  pure  hands,  and  bear  the  head 
That  sleeps  or  wears  the  mask  of  sleep. 

And  come,  whatever  loves  to  weep. 

And  hear  the  ritual  of  the  dead.” 

“ ‘This  friend  of  our  youth  was  born  at  Kaskaskia  in  the 
year  1829,  when  Illinois  gave  as  yet  but  slight  promise  of  its 
future  greatness.  His  father  was  a lawyer  and  a judge,  a man 
of  distinction  in  his  day,  who  for  a time  occupied  a seat  in  the 
United  States  Senate.  Young  Baker  was  given  every  advan- 
tage within  his  father’s  power.  He  was  sent  to  Shurtleff  col- 
lege to  receive  the  rudiments  of  a liberal,  classical  and  Chris- 
tian education,  where  he  was  graduated  in  1847.  After  two 
years  spent  in  his  father’s  office,  where  he  was  initiated  into 
the  mysteries  of  the  law,  he  entered  the  law  school  of  Har- 
vard college,  at  Cambridge,  and,  first  having  completed  his 
course  there,  was  admitted  to  practice  in  the  courts  of  this 
state.  His  literary  tastes,  however,  diverted  him  from  the 
career  marked  out  for  him,  and  he  turned  his  attention  to 
journalism,  at  first  as  the  editor  of  the  Alton  Tehgraph,  and 
later  as  editor  of  the  Illinois  State  Journal,  published  at  Spring- 
field.  His  residence  in  the  capital  city  brought  him  in  contact 
with  all  the  leading  men  of  Illinois.  He  married  a grand- 
daughter of  Gov.  Edwards,  and  a daughter  of  the  Hon.  Ninian 
W.  Edwards,  one  of  Illinois’  best  known  citizens,  and  who  was 
also  a niece  of  the  wife  of  Abraham  Lincoln.  Those  were  the 
days  preceding  and  during  the  civil  war,  when  a man  who 
had  anything  to  say  was  sure  to  be  heard,  and  the  rural  press 


42 


In  Mrmoriam. 


occupied  a position  and  wielded  an  influence  which  it  has  in 
part  lost,  since  the  telegraph  and  the  railway  have  made  the 
metropolitan  daily  newspapers  the  overshadowing  exponents  of 
public  opinion  and  sentiment. 

“ ‘The  value  of  his  services  to  the  cause  of  freedom  and  the 
Union  was  recognized  in  the  first  instance  by  his  appointment^ 
at  the  close  of  the  war,  to  the  office  of  assessor  of  internal 
revenue  for  the  Springfield  district,  and  later  by  the  gift  of 
the  United  States  Consulate  at  Buenos  Ayres.  The  latter  ap- 
pointment was  made  by  President  Grant  in  December,  1873, 
and  from  that  day  to  this  he  has  not  set  foot  upon  his  native 
soil.  At  the  time  of  his  death,  on  the  8th  of  July,  1897,  he 
was  the  oldest  consul  in  respect  of  continuous  service  repre- 
senting the  government  in  a foreign  land.  It  was  an  honor- 
able testimony  to  his  ability  and  fidelity  as  a diplomat  that 
although  an  ardent  republican,  he  was  retained  in  the  position 
which  he  held,  by  ITesident  Cleveland,  during  both  his  terms 
of  office;  and  if  he  had  lived,  he  had  reason  to  think  that  the 
present  administration  would  have  suitably  recognized  him, 
either  by  transfer  to  a post  of  greater  diplomatic  importance 
or  by  making  him  Consul-General  to  the  Argentine  Kepublic. 

“ ‘Such,  in  outline,  was  the  record  of  his  private  and  public 
life.  I choose  rather  to  speak  of  his  qualities  as  I knew  him, 
and  as  he  was  known  to  his  friends.  Three  traits,  I should 
say,  were  prominent  in  his  character:  His  literary  taste  and 
culture,  his  social  and  domestic  affections,  and  his  fidelity  in 
the  discharge  of  every  duty.  He  was  fond  of  reading  and  had 
an  excellent  library.  He  had  also  very  considerable  power  of 
expression,  both  in  prose  and  in  verse.  He  conversed  fluently 
in  at  least  two  languages  besides  his  own,  Spanish  and  French. 
A man  who  knows  three  languages  well  has  a mind  which  is 


Edwat^d  Lewis  Baker. 


43 


no  longer  narrow  it  its  sympathies,  uninformed,  or  apt  to  take 
a prejudiced  view  of  life.  But  it  was  his  heart  which  endeared 
him  to  those  whose  good  fortune  it  was  to  enjoy  the  honor  of 
his  personal  acquaintance. 

“‘A  kinder,  more  tender  and  loving  nature  has  rarely  been 
bestowed  upon  any  man  at  his  birth.  The  spirit  of  Christian 
charity  breathed  through  all  his  words  and  acts.  His  judg- 
ments were  charitable,  and  his  comments  upon  men  were  even 
more  kindly  than  his  knowledge  of  the  world  tended  to  make 
them.  Where  he  could  not  approve  of  their  actions  he  main- 
tained a loving  silence  regarding  them.  He  was  not  deficient 
in  courage  or  spirit,  but  he  was  eminently  patient  and  forgiv- 
ing. He  was  generous  and  hospitable,  a capital  companion  and 
host,  and  the  idol  of  his  family,  who  could  see  no  fault  in  him. 
in  a word,  he  combined  v/ith  a high  and  strong  manhood 
some  of  the  best  qualities  of  the  opposite  sex.  The  conse- 
quence was  that  he  conducted  a newspaper  which  was  abso- 
lutely free  from  prurience  or  scandal,  while  it  was  not  defici- 
ent in  vigor;  and  as  consul  among  a people  at  the  opposite 
extreme  of  civilization  from  our  own  he  won  more  than  their 
respect,  for  he  possessed  their  affection.  Through  financial 
reverses,  pauic  and  revolution,  he  never  lowered  the  American 
flag,  literally  nor  figuratively.  A true  and  loyal  American,  he 
loved  the  people  among  whom  his  lot  was  cast,  and  the  out- 
pouring at  his  funeral  in  that  remote  quarter  of  the  globe 
shows  how  well  his  love  was  returned  into  his  own  bosom. 

“‘Mr.  Baker  was,  as  I have  intimated,  of  excellent  stock 
and  parentage.  He  respected  himself  for  what  his  relatives 
were  as  well  as  what  he  knew  himself  to  be.  All  of  his 
brothers  attained  distinction  in  some  line  of  life,  military  or 
judicial.  The  consciousness  of  solidarity  in  the  family  relations 
and  of  one’s  obligation  to  maintain  the  family  honor  unsullied 
is  one  of  the  strongest  possible  safeguards  against  wrongdoing. 


44 


In  Memokta.u. 


“ ‘Perhaps  instead  of  trying  to  describe  him,  for  it  is  not 
«asy  to  express  any  man’s  character  in  words,  it  would  be  bet- 
ter to  let  him  speak  for  himself.  He  was  devoted  to  his  little 
grandchildren,  and  when  circumstances  made  it  necessary  for 
him  to  endure  separation  from  them  for  a time  his  feelings 
found  vent  in  two  unpretentious  but  pleasing  little  poems, 
which  have  been  privately  printed,  and  which  are  dedicated 
*‘To  Philip.”  One  of  them  is  entitled  “La  Despedida”  and  the 
other  “La  Bienvenida.”  In  the  flrst  he  wishes  the  departing 
dear  ones  a prosperous  voyage  and  a safe  landing.  The  closing 
stanza  reads . 

“With  grief  I never  can  forget. 

And  breaking  heart  and  eyes  all  wet. 

And  desolated  home  I see  ■ 

My  heart’s  dear  treasures  pass  from  me ; 

And  I shall  mourn  as  one  distraught. 

So  great  the  sorrow  love  has  wrought, 

’Till  I shall  know-all  dangers  o’er — 

My  ship  has  reached  her  destined  shore. 

Oh,  treacherous  Ocean,  faithless  Sea, 

Bring  back  a good  report  to  me.” 

“‘In  the  second,  having  received  a cable  dispatch  announc- 
ing the  safe  arrival  of  the  vessel  in  port,  he  breaks  out: 

“A  magic  word  at  lightning  speed 
Has  come  to  me  with  news  indeed. 

My  ship  that  erstwhile  sailed  so  far 
Has  made  her  port,  has  crossed  the  bar. 

Her  flags  afloat  are  flying  now ; 

The  blue  waves  dance  along  her  prow. 

With  landward  breeze  and  sails  at  play 
She  moves  in  triumph  up  the  bay. 

Oh.  treacherous  Ocean,  faithless  Sea, 

Glad  tidings  these  I have  from  thee.” 


Edward  Lewis  Baker. 


45 


“ ‘La  Bienvenida  closes: 

“Oh,  weary  prisoners,  long  confined. 

Midst  revels  of  the  wave  and  wind. 

Of  storm  and  wreck  all  fears  have  passed. 

The  prayed  for  land  is  yours  at  last. 

I hail  you  all  with  untold  love. 

And  peace  that  cometh  from  above. 

Oh,  dear  good  ship,  oh,  dear  good  crew. 

In  gratitude  I pledge  to  you. 

Oh,  treacherous  Ocean,  faithless  Sea, 

Most  fervent  thanks  thou  hast  from  me.’’ 

“ ‘The  same  ship  which  brought  them  was  to  have  brought 
him,  after  three  long  years  of  anxious  hope.  It  did  bring 
him. 

“So  may  whatever  tempest  mars 
Mid-ocean,  spare  thee,  sacred  bark ; 

And  balmy  drops  in  summer  dark  . 

Slide  from  the  bosom  of  the  stars.” 

“ ‘He  seemed  to  have  almost  a presentiment  that  the  reunion 
for  which  he  so  fervently  longed  would  take  place  in  some 
other  world  than  this.  Various  incidents  might  be  related  to 
confirm  this  impression,  but  some  simple  lines  written  shortly 
before  his  sudden  taking-off  show  the  working  of  his  mind.. 
They  were  enclosed  in  a letter  to  his  wife  dated  March  1,  189(), 
and  the  circumstances  which  suggested  them  is  thus  told  by 
the  writer:  “While  I was  driving  with  Minister  Buchanan 

last  night,  he  asked  me  what  my  arrangements  were  about 
staying  here.  I told  him  I might  go  for  you  some  time  during 
the  year,  but  that  I was  getting  old,  and  it  might  be  that  if 


4G 


In  Memoriam. 


I went  home  on  leave,  I might  never  come  back  again — that 
above  all  things  I did  not  wish  to  die  and  be  buried  in  this 
countr}\  When  I got  back  to  my  ‘den,’  I sat  in  my  pyjamas 
thinking  about  the  matter,  and  I scribbled  a few  verses  on 
the  subject  which  I enclose,  not  on  account  of  any  merit  they 
possess,  but  because  they  are  quite  literally  true.”  They  are 
entitled  by  himself  “A  Wail.” 

“I  have  truantly  strayed  from  the  land  of  my  birth, 

I have  lingered  for  many  a year; 

’Tis  time  to  return  to  my  loved  ones  on  earth. 

Oh,  I must  not,  I cannot  die  here. 

“I  wearily  wait  for  the  days  yet  to  come, 

1 am  aged  and  heartsick  and  sere; 

With  passionate  longing  I yearn  to  go  home; 

Oh,  I must  not,  I cannot  die  here. 

‘•Though  I faithfully  cherish  this  far  distant  shore. 

With  its  people  so  fervent  and  dear, 

To  my  own  native  land  oh,  take  me  once  more: 

Oh,  I must  not,  I cannot  die  here. 

“My  sorrowing  friends  are  waiting  to  greet  me 
With  a welcome  most  fond  and  sincere; 

At  once  I must  go,  or  on  earth  they’ll  not  meet  me: 

Oh,  I must  not,  I cannot  die  here.” 

•‘  ‘God  grant  that  they  may  meet  him  in  Heaven.* 


Edward  Lrwis  Bakkr. 


47 


“A  brief  description  of  the  fatal  accident,  the  funeral  ser- 
vices at  Buenos  Ayres  and  the  homeward  journey  were  given, 
and  the  speaker  closed  as  follows: 

‘"‘He  will  lie  beneath  the  shadow  of  the  monument  which 
marks  the  last  resting  place  of  the  martyr  president,  his  close 
and  true  friend  in  life,  whose  guest  he  has  often  been,  and 
from  whose  former  residence  this  inanimate  clay  was  this 
morning  brought  hither,  and  in  the  peaceful  cemetery  of  Oak 
Ridge  he  will  await  the  resurrection  of  the  dead,  in  the  hope 
of  a blessed  immortality  through  the  merits  and  mediation  of 
Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  only  hope  of  every  dying  sinner 
who  puts  his  trust  in  Him. 

“ ‘And  now  we  commend  his  sorrowing  widow  and  orphaned 
children  to  the  love  and  mercy  of  (lod,  who  has  revealed  Him- 
self to  us  as  the  Comforter,  whose  pity  is  over  all  His  children, 
who  knoweth  our  frame  and  remembereth  that  we  are  but 
dust,  and  whose  compassions  fail  not.  Human  sympathy  you 
have  in  this  sad  bereavement,  and  that  without  stint;  but 
what  you  need  is  the  presence  and  help  of  Him  from  whom 
we  came  and  to  whom  we  shall  return,  the  Father  of  us  all. 
INIay  God  be  with  you,  to  sustain  and  bless  and  save  you.’ 

“The  procession  to  the  cemetery  was  a long  one  and  in- 
cluded many  private  carriages.  The  members  of  the  press  and 
the  veteran  printers  were  marshalled  by  Capt.  T.  W.  S.  Kidd, 
of  the  Monitor. 

“The  grave  contained  a brick  vault,  into  which  the  casket 
was  lowered  and  which  was  afterward  covered  with  a stone 
slab  sealed  with  cement.  The  grave  was  beautifully  lined  with 
green  and  the  unsightly  mound  of  earth  removed  from  the 
grave  was  hidden  under  green  boughs  and  leaves  strewn  over 
with  rare  flowers.  The  floral  tokens  left  upon  the  grave  by 
friends  and  relatives  were  unusually  numerous  and  beautiful. 


48 


In  Memoriam. 


“Amon^  those  present  at  the  funeral  were:  Judge  David 

J.  Baker,  Charles  Edwards  and  Gen.  Thomas  O.  Osborn,  of 
Chicago;  Col.  and  Mrs.  John  P.  Baker,  Lincoln  Baker,  Misses 
Mabel  and  Florence  Baker  and  Col.  and  Mrs.  L.  S.  Metcalfe, 
of  St.  Louis;  Mrs.  Henry  S.  Baker  and  Mrs.  Mary  Wise,  of 
Alton;  William  B.  Gilbert  and  M.  F.  Gilbert,  of  Cairo.  Of 
the  members  of  the  dead  consul’s  immediate  family  were 
present  Mrs.  E.  L.  Baker,  E.  Lewis  Baker  with  his  wife  and 
son,  Philip,  and  Miss  Julia  Elizabeth  Baker.  One  son,  Willis 
E.  Baker,  resides  at  Rosario,  Argentine  Republic,  and  could 
not  attend.” 

The  special  service  to  the  irietnory  of  Mr.  Bakei*,  of 
which  mention  has  been  made  in  a preceding  portion 
of  this  sketch,  occurred  in  the  American  (M.  P4) 
Church  in  Buenos  Ayres,  the  evening  of  September  11, 
1897,  and  was  announced  in  the  newspapers  in  that 
city  by  the  following  advertisement: 

”BAKER  MEMORIAL  SERVICE 

To  be  held  at  the  American  Church,  Corrientes,  on  Saturday, 
Sept.  11th,  at  8:30  p.  m. 

PROGRAMME. 

1. — Organ  Recital,  Mr.  Wall. 

2. — Address  by  the  Chairman,  Mr.  Folmar. 

3. — Eulogy  (in  English),  Dr.  Thomson. 

4. — Song  ‘Calvary’,  Mr.  M.  S.  Edye. 

5. — Eulogy  (in  Spanish),  Dr.  Estanislao  S.  Zeballos. 

6. — ‘Ave  Maria’,  Gounod — Madame  Dunant. 

7. — Address,  Hon.  W.  I.  Buchanan. 

8. — Song,  ‘Light  in  Darkness’,  Mr.  Charles  S.  Crow. 

9. — Chorus,  ‘America’. 


Edwatu)  I^Ewrs  Baki:r. 


49 


An  album,  containing  a letter  of  sympathy  to  Mrs.  Baker, 
will  be  placed  in  the  vestibule  of  the  church,  and  in  it  may  be 
recorded  the  signatures  of  all  those  desirous  of  identifying  them- 
selves with  this  expression  of  condolence.” 

The  Buenos  Ayres  Standai^d  o\  Sept.  12,  published 
the  following*  account  of  this  service: 

“The  friends  of  the  late  Consul  Baker  present  at  the  memo- 
rial service  held  last  night  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
filled  it  beyond  the  extent  of  its  seating  capacity,  a large  number 
standing  in  the  back  of  the  church  and  the  doorways  throughout 
the  evening. 

“The  church  was  draped  in  mourning  and  was  tastefully 
decorated  with  United  States  and  Argentine  flags,  evergreens, 
tropical  plants  and  flowers  being  arranged  at  the  back  of  the 
church;  while  over  the  pulpit  was  a large  shield  of  the  United 
States  formed  of  white,  pink  and  purple  hyacinths,  producing  a 
striking  effect  and  harmonizing  beautifully  with  the  other  deco- 
rations. On  the  platform  sat  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee 
having  the  service  in  charge,  Mr.  E.  H.  Folmar,  the  lion.  W.  I. 
Buchanan,  U.  S.  Minister,  Dr.  Estanislao  S.  Zeballos,  and  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Thomson. 

“At  8:45,  Mr.  Folmar  rose  and  in  a few  introductory  remarks, 
stated  that  he  regretted  to  announce  that  the  placque  to  be  sent 
to  the  United  States  to  be  attached  to  the  monument  or  stone 
marking  the  grave  of  the  deceased  consul  was  not  completed  so 
that  it  could  be  exhibited  at  the  service  as  had  originally  been 
intended.  He  also  announced  that  the  placque  placed  in  the 
church  had  been  furnished  by  certain  friends  not  included  in  the 
number  of  those  composing  the  committee,  and  that  it  was  the 


50 


In  Mi-:m()riam. 


intention  of  the  coniiiiittee  to  erect  a monument  to  Mr.  Baker's 
memory  in  some  public  place  in  Buenos  Ayres.  Mr.  Folmar 
closed  his  remarks,  saying:  *To  the  late  Edward  L.  Baker  we 

dedicate  ihis  service,' and  then  introduced  the  Kev.  Dr.  Thomson. 

‘•Dr.  Thomson’s  wonderfully  beautiful  and  exhaustive  eulogy 
is  perfectly  above  all  praise;  nor  is  it  possible  to- give  a fair 
synopsis  of  it,  for  to  be  properly  rendered  it  should  be  reproduced 
word  for  word. 

“After  Dr.  Thomson  had  concluded,  Mr.  M.  S.  Edye  sang 
‘Calvary,'  and  was  heartily  applauded. 

“Dr.  Estauislao  S.  Zeballos,  formerly  Minister  of  Foreign 
Relations,  ex-Minister  of  the  Argentine  Republic  to  the  United 
States,  and  one  of  Argentina's  most  gifted  sons,  gave  in  Spanish 
an  additional  testimony  to  the  worth  of  the  deceased,  proving 
the  very  deep  gratitude  that  his  fellow-countrymen  felt  lor 
Consul  Baker,  whose  splendid  annual  and  special  reports  had 
done  so  much  to  make  the  Argentine  Republic  well  known 
and  respected  throughout  the  world.  (Applause). 

“After  the  address  of  Dr.  Zeballos,  Gounod's  Ave  Maria  was 
beautifully  rendered  by  Madame  Dunant,  one  of  Buenos  Ayres' 
most  gifted  vocalists. 

“The  chairman  then  introduced  the  last  speaker  of  the  even- 
ing, the  Hon.  W.  I.  Buchanan,  United  States  Minister  to  the 
Argentine  Republic,  who  spoke  beautifully  and  feelingly  of  his 
dear,  departed  friend.  Mr.  Buchanan  showed  the  wonderful 
growth  of  the  Argentine  Republic  by  quoting  from  Consul 
Baker's  first  and  last  reports.  He  then  dealt  at  length  with  the 
poetic  side  of  the  consul's  nature,  and  concluded  by  reading  sev- 
eral of  his  most  pathetic  poems,  which  showed  the  writer's  de- 
cided talent  and  threw  a side-light  on  his  character. 


Edwafjd  Lewis  Baker. 


51 


“Mr.  Charles  S.  Crow  sang  ‘Light  in  Darkness',  and  the  en- 
tire audience  then  joined  in  singing  ‘America’ with  hearty  chorus 
effect  in  honor  of  our  kith  and  kin  beyond  the  sea.  The  whole 
service  lasted  two  hours." 

The  inscription  on  the  tablet  ])laced  in  the  American 
Church  is  as  follows: 


TO  THE  MEMORY  OF 

EDWARD  LEW^IS  BAKER. 

FOR  TWENTY-THRFE  YEARS 
CONSUL 

Of  THE  (Tnited  States  of  Amekica 

IN  THIS  CITY. 

nORN  KASKASKIA,  ILLINOIS,  U.  S.  A.  1821) 
DIED  BUENOS  AARES,  JULY  8TH,  181)7 

THIS  tai’.lf:t  has  ueen  inscribed  uy 
ms  FRIENDS  AS  A TRIUUTE  TO  HIS 
AUILITIES  AS  AN  OFFICIAL  OF  HIS  OOY- 
ERN.MENT  AND  IN  TOKEN  OF  THEIR 
REMEM  15 RANCE  OF  11  IS  OENEROUS  AND 
KINDLY  DISROSITION  WHICH  ENDEAR- 
ED HEM  TO  ALL. 


9 


52 


In  Memoriam. 


Thus  closes  the  earthly  career  of  a noble,  unselfish 
and  beautiful  nature— a man  beloved  and  esteemed 
beyond  the  common  lot  of  man,  and  mourned  now 
and  always  with  a sorrow  deep  and  tender. 

; j 

“His  life  was  gentle,  and  the  elements 
So  mi^ed  in  him  that  Nature  might  stand  up 
And  say  to  all  the  world,  This  was  a nmnT 


Springfield,  Illinois, 

Novemrer,  1897. 


INDEX-PART  II. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS-URBANA 

B.B167  C001 

In  memorlam;  Edward  Lewis  Baker 


